Annual healthy food drive now underway

Posted by Kaitlyn McConnell on Sept. 6, 2019

Healthy
food is needed by all, but not everyone can afford items they need.

To help
people in the Ozarks obtain food that is low in sugar, salt and fat, CoxHealth's 8th annual Pack the Pantries healthy food drive is now underway. It runs through September
30, and the community is invited to participate.

Donations collected during this year’s drive benefit a variety of charities. In Branson, they go to Christian Action Ministries; in Monett, to Monett Community Kitchen and Crosslines; and in Lamar, to Good Samaritan and First Christian Church in Golden City.

In Springfield, donations go to Crosslines, but ultimately benefit patients at CoxHealth’s Family Medical Care
Center. Physicians at the clinic are now able to diagnose patients with food
insecurity and write them a “prescription” that may be redeemed at Crosslines
for healthy food.

“Unfortunately, food insecurity is a huge issue across the Ozarks,” says Tom
Faulkner, director of Crosslines. “We are very grateful for this community’s
support. Every single item donated makes a difference for people who often
don’t have enough to eat, especially when they are on a restricted diet due to
health.”

In
Springfield, public donation bins are located at Cox South’s north and West
Pavilion entrances, at Meyer Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Hospital’s west
entrance, and at Cox North’s outpatient entrance. A dedicated drop-day will also
be held in Springfield on Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., when Crosslines trucks will collect donations at the hospitals.

In
Branson, bins are near the cafeteria. In Monett, items may be taken to the
information desk; in Barton County, they are collected in individual
departments.